The Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division is cautioning residents of Washington about potential scams targeting donations intended for those affected by the California wildfires. Attorney General Nick Brown urges individuals to report any suspicious donation requests to his office.
“The catastrophic damage from these fires makes us want to support relief and recovery efforts,” stated Brown. “I urge potential donors to give with caution and look out for potential scams or fraudulent solicitations. If you see charity solicitations that look suspicious, please file a complaint with my office.”
Those who suspect they have encountered or fallen victim to a charity scam can submit complaints through the Attorney General’s Office online complaint form. If the charity is based in California, there is also a separate complaint form available.
The Attorney General’s Office advises donors to take their time and research charities before contributing. It is important for donors to verify whether an advertised charity has a history of providing relevant disaster response work.
To further protect against scams, additional steps are recommended:
Washington's Attorney General serves both the people and state agencies across Washington, acting as the state's largest law firm. The office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington while enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. It also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles cases involving sexually violent predators in 38 of Washington's 39 counties. More information can be found at www.atg.wa.gov.